Hearing God when you need some help

May 9, 2009 · Filed Under finances, spiritual hearing · 2 Comments 

The LORD says, “I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.” Psalms 32:8.

I just love this promise. It’s absolutely incredible to know that God loves us so much that he will guide us, advise us and watch over us. He loves doing that!

I think about my son. He often comes to me and asks for help. I don’t shun him, tell him to get out or shut up. No, I love to help him and advise him when it’s in my power to do so. How much more does God enjoy helping us, who has all power.

In the Old Testament, it was quite common to “inquire of the Lord” when someone needed help.

    David inquired of the LORD, saying, “Shall I go and attack these Philistines?” And the LORD said to David, “Go and attack the Philistines, and save Keilah” (1 Samuel 23:2).
    The children of Israel inquired of the LORD saying, “Shall I yet again go out to battle against the children of my brother Benjamin, or shall I cease?” And the LORD said, “Go up, for tomorrow I will deliver them into your hand” (Judges 20:27, 28).

There are stories after stories of these divine inquiries. And, this was in the Old Testament. Today, under this new covenant, we are told that we can come boldly to the throne of our gracious God where we will find grace to help us when we need it (Hebrews 4:16).

Let me share with you an experience I had yesterday in hearing God. To start with, I wasn’t feeling very “spiritual”. The night before had been a difficult night, and I awoke with this heaviness on my heart. Let’s just say I wasn’t feeling very righteous.

Then, I remembered that righteousness is not based on how I feel, but on what Christ did for me. My sin is gone. My unworthiness is gone. I am righteous through what Christ did, not through what I do or have done or will do. With Christ in my heart, I can stand before God without fear.

I started to dig into some work that need to be done. I have this project that I’ve been working on for two years now, and we’re months away from launching it. Very exciting, but lots of work to do.

I had this one aspect of the project that I was struggling through. I couldn’t think of a creative approach to this one task, and needed some serious guidance. So, after realizing that God accepts me as I am and that I can come boldly to his throne in our time of need, I spent a few moments in my mind coming to the throne of grace.

As I stood there the spirit, I asked, “Daddy, you know this situation, and you know what I need to do. Can you give me some ideas on how to perform this task?”

Then, I had a thought, If you go Google this certain phrase, you’ll find many solutions. Sure enough, I found tons of ideas on how to solve this problem. I spent the rest of the day digging, searching, finding and resolving this issue that had been burdening me for months.

For the rest of the day, I was so excited, but not at finding a solution to a task that had weighed me down. No, my excitement was from hearing God. What an honor and privilege it is to hear my Father!

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Hearing God for Financial Provision

March 23, 2009 · Filed Under finances · 1 Comment 

Over the past couple of weeks, I’ve been speaking with a company about doing a project. It’s a fairly big project, and would require much of my time, so there’s been some hesitancy in taking it on. While I don’t mind the hard work, this is one of many projects that I have planned for the year.

While on vacation for Spring Break, I spent some time praying over the project. I needed to hear some clear direction. Lord, is this what you want me to work on? I asked a few weeks ago, and I sensed my Father saying that it was going to be hard work and that it was also great provision. But still, I wasn’t sure if it’s what he wanted me to work on.

While on vacation in Colorado one afternoon, I was praying for him to make it clear to me if I should work on this project. Again, there was hesitancy because it was a lot of work, and I wasn’t too excited about working hard.

As I was praying, I sensed a scripture come to mind: Proverbs 6:11, or was it 16:11. Not sure. Kept praying. Kept hearing 6:11 and then 16:11. So, I just said myself, Okay, I’ll read both.

First, Proverbs 6:11. I started back at verse 6, because it was the first part of a larger section ending at verse 11:

    Take a lesson from the ants, you lazybones. Learn from their ways and be wise! Even though they have no prince, governor, or ruler to make them work, they labor hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. But you, lazybones, how long will you sleep? When will you wake up? I want you to learn this lesson: A little extra sleep, a little more slumber, a little folding of the hands to rest– and poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber. Proverbs 6:6-11, NLT.

Wow, you lazybones. That was me—I was being lazy. I didn’t want to do hard work.

Learn from their ways and be wise! I need to learn something here. They have no prince, no governor or ruler to make them work. Ouch, that’s me. I have no boss or manager to make me work. I work for myself. Busted.

They work hard all summer, gathering food for the winter. Again, that’s me. That’s my situation. It’ll physically be a summer project, wrapping up around Christmas. And, figuratively, this income should provide for us through a winter season of no additional work. The seasons are both physical and figurative.

And then, verse 11 that was spoken to me: “poverty will pounce on you like a bandit; scarcity will attack you like an armed robber.”

If I don’t do this, lazybones, poverty will pounce on me and scaracity will attack me. It was obvious from this scripture that the Lord wants me to work hard during the summer to store of provision for the winter.

Then, I read Proverbs 16:11, The LORD demands fairness in every business deal; he sets the standard.

Now, the Lord says, Do this project, but I demand fairness in this business deal. I will set the standard.

Again, very clearly, the Lord wants me to do this deal for provision for my family and he requires that I do it as a fair business deal. I am now convinced that the Lord wants me to do this project.

I wanted to share this journal entry with you to encourage you. I know there are many of you struggling through this difficult economical situation. The current financial crisis is creating a lot of unemployment, cut backs and lay offs. I want to encourage you in this time of recession that God can help you. If you will listen to him, and let him guide you, he will show you where to look for work, and what to do.

In Psalms 32:8, the Lord says, I will guide you along the best pathway for your life. I will advise you and watch over you.

Update – Tuesday, March 31, 2009

I wanted to take a moment and share some interesting news about this post. As you may have read, I prayed and sought the Lord about the potential project, and I interpreted his giving me the two scriptures as, “You need to do this project.” Which, I know now, was interpreted incorrectly. After I made that decision and then met with the client, I had this overwhelming since of uneasiness. There was no peace about this project, only heaviness. I started to lose sleep over the project, knowing it conflict with many other God-given project this year.

After speaking with my wife and some friends, I realized that I had misinterpreted the giving of those two scriptures, and just assumed I was to take the project. I liked the provision aspect of the project, but it would have consumed my time and energy for the whole year, and all my other projects and clients would have taken the hit.

My wife and I decided to completely pass on the project. The decision alone gave me incredible peace. I knew it was what I was supposed to do.

That morning, in my quiet time, I was praying and getting ready to let this client know I couldn’t be a part of the project. I did not like the idea of telling them that, because they really needed a solution, and they were putting their hope in me to deliver this solution. But, I had to let it go. As I was praying over it, I sensed the Lord whisper to me, “There’s a middle ground solution.”  Hmm. Really?

I didn’t put much thought into.  I was honestly just thinking about how to gracefully pass on the project. But, I tucked that thought away in mind and prepared for the meeting. As I was driving to the meeting, I had that thought again, “There’s a middle ground solution.”  Okay. What is it? I didn’t hear anything, but I sensed that my Dad would reveal the solution at the right time.

During the meeting, I told the client that I would have to pass on the project, but that I would help them find someone to take it over. This was very difficult, because they had already built some trust with me, and they really wanted to work with me. But, I just couldn’t.

Then, “out of the blue”, the client asked, “Would you be willing to stay on board for a month or two as a consultant to help us get this project off the ground? We really trust you.” Immediately, when the question was asked, I knew that it was the middle ground solution. I immediately had the thought, “That’s it.”

Sure enough, there was a great middle ground solution! I’m able to stay on track with my current clients and projects, help this new client with the launch of their project and make some money along the way.

I wanted to share this update because of wonderful it was to have God whisper to me this opportunity. When the client made that suggestion, I had no doubt it was God. He had prepared my heart for this meeting, and had given me a great solution for a very difficult situation.

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Finding faith in God during economic and financial crisis

February 20, 2009 · Filed Under finances · Comment 

It’s obvious from the news (and our poor performing 401k’s) that we are struggling through some difficult, financial times right now. Jobs are being cut, houses are being foreclosed on, and financial difficulties are high. Is there hope? What can we do during these difficult economic times? How should we respond?

Money is a reflection of our heart–how we spend it, how we trust in it, how we hope in it. “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be” (Matthew 6:21). Your heart follows your money and possessions.

What do you really hope for? What is most important to you? I think in all honesty, most of those questions are answered with some form of money or possessions. Jesus talked a lot about money and possessions, even more than hell, prayer and faith. Why? Why would the Son of God talk so much about money? Because it is a reflection of our heart, what we trust in.

Last October, I posted a blog about Financial Anxiety in these economic times, and after re-reading it, I think about the verses of scripture that surround Jesus’ comment about how our hearts follow our treasure:

“Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. The lamp of the body is the eye. If therefore your eye is good, your whole body will be full of light. But if your eye is bad, your whole body will be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in you is darkness, how great is that darkness! No one can serve two masters; for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be loyal to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve God and mammon” (Matthew 6:19-24).

Mammon is not a common word we use today. In Biblical times, it referred to a demon or personification of riches, wealth and possessions. It’s interesting how Jesus concludes that we cannot serve both God of Heaven and God of Mammon. We can only serve one God.

So, what do we do? How do we respond?

The next few verses Matthew 6 are the answer. It’s one thing to read them—it’s another thing to believe them. So, I challenge you to read these words of truth. Read them and let them sink deep in your soul, because they are words that can bring you incredible peace during difficult financial times:

I tell you not to worry about everyday life–—whether you have enough food and drink, or enough clothes to wear. Isn’t life more than food, and your body more than clothing? Look at the birds. They don’t plant or harvest or store food in barns, for your heavenly Father feeds them. And aren’t you far more valuable to him than they are? Can all your worries add a single moment to your life?

And why worry about your clothing? Look at the lilies of the field and how they grow. They don’t work or make their clothing, yet Solomon in all his glory was not dressed as beautifully as they are. And if God cares so wonderfully for wildflowers that are here today and thrown into the fire tomorrow, he will certainly care for you. Why do you have so little faith?

So don’t worry about these things, saying, ‘What will we eat? What will we drink? What will we wear?’ These things dominate the thoughts of unbelievers, but your heavenly Father already knows all your needs. Seek the Kingdom of God above all else, and live righteously, and he will give you everything you need.

So don’t worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will bring its own worries. Today’s trouble is enough for today. (Matthew 6:25-34).

I encourage you to seek God first, put him first in your life. He cares for you. He knows your needs. Seek first the Kingdom of God, and all those things will be added to your life. Trust him.

Galatians 4:7 sums it up well, “You are no longer a slave, but God’s own child. And since you are his child, everything he has belongs to you.”

Think about life as a kid. Did you ever worry about your parent’s providing for you, taking care of you, feeding you, clothing you? If that’s true for imperfect, earthly parents, how much more will your perfect, Godly Father provide for your needs?

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Financial Anxiety

October 13, 2008 · Filed Under finances · 1 Comment 

When you think of money or finances, is your stomach in knots? Is the upcoming holiday season starting to stress you out? What about the current financial crisis? Are you living paycheck to paycheck? Are you constantly fretting layoffs or “restructuring”?

Finances can be a very anxious experience for many, even those who are well off. Managing money can be very stressful. Many couples that divorce in the US do so because of problems with money. It’s an incredibly serious issue in people’s lives.

Can you find peace in stressful financial situations? Can finances really become a place of peace and rest, or must they always be feared and anxiety-provoking?

When it comes to our financial economy, our country is in serious trouble. Consumer debt is at an all time high. Credit companies have made it so easy to “buy now and pay later”. For one small monthly fee, you can have whatever you want. How many of those “small monthly fees” do you have?

This credit-driven lifestyle has made it too easy to spend more than we make. I recently read a statistic on consumer spending in America. Through most of the 1900′s, people spent on average about 30% less than what they made. That means people were saving money. Today, the average American spends more than they earn. That means nothing is being saved. Nothing is put away for unforeseen circumstances.

I can see why financial anxiety is rampant these days. The loss of a job, an emergency house repair, the car breaks down, again–all can be terribly stressful when it comes finances.

So, is there hope? Can you be free from financial anxiety? I shout a hearty YES. You can be free. But, it may take time and serious discipline. It probably took you years to get where you are now. For many, it’ll take years to dig yourself out of the financial pit. But, here’s the beautiful thing–God is faithful and he cares for you, even your finances.

Today, my wife and I live in financial freedom. And it’s not because we have lots of money. On the contrary, we live very modestly. As a freelance producer, our finances ebb and flow depending on projects. Our financial freedom is a result of solid money management skills and the discipline to live by those skills.

We live on a budget, we no longer use credit cards, we only buy used cars, and at the end of each month, we have money left over. Amazingly, we don’t feel at all constricted by this lifestyle. Quite the opposite. This lifestyle has given us incredible freedom.

“But you don’t know where we are. We’ve maxed out our credit cards? My husband lost his job. These medical bills keep getting higher and higher. We can barely get by.”

Here’s the most important message I learned about finances: it’s not a matter of how much or how little you make; it’s a matter of your heart. Financial freedom starts in your heart. Listen to what Jesus said, “Wherever your treasure is, there your heart and thoughts will also be” (Matthew 6:21).

Where is your treasure? A new car, a big house, a pair of jeans, your 401K? Or, is your treasure in your family, your peace, or God? You see, where you put your money is where your heart is. Your money always follows your heart. So, make sure your heart is right when it comes to finances.

When my wife and I first got married, we were in debt. I was into new cars, new stereo equipment, new things. So when I prayed for financial freedom, I expected God to deposit a big sum of money into my account. What he did, though, was deposit incredible financial wisdom into my heart. You see, financial freedom starts in your heart.

If you’re struggling with finances, I want to encourage you that you can be free from financial anxiety. God desires to help you, first with your heart and then with your finances. I have seen God move in amazing ways when it comes to finances, both in my life and in the lives of those we have counseled. There are great resources to help you in this journey towards financial freedom. Dave Ramsey and Crown Financial are two great resources to get started.

Prayer: Father, I need your help with finances. Financial anxiety is consuming me. I’ve made some bad money decisions in the past, and the financial consequences are overwhelming. First, change my heart. Then, give me a strategy to get my finances under control. Help me start down the road to financial freedom.

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